Merycochoerus

Merycochoerus (Greek: "ruminant" (merux)-like "swine" (khoiros)^[1]) is an extinct genus of oreodont of the family Merycoidodontidae, endemic to North America. They lived during the Early Oligocene 33.9—30.8 mya, existing for approximately 3 million years.^[2] Fossils are widespread through the western United States.

Restoration of M. carrikeri by Robert Bruce Horsfall

Restoration of M. proprius

Merycochoerus Temporal range: Early Oligocene 34–31 Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N ↓
Merycochoerus superbus skull
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Artiodactyla
Family:	†Merycoidodontidae
Genus:	†Merycochoerus Leidy 1858
Type species
†Merychochoerus proprius
Species
see text
Synonyms
Megoreodon Paracotylops Promerycochoerus Superdesmatochoerus

Merycochoerus was a cud-chewing plant-eater with a long face, tusk-like canine teeth, heavy body, long tail, short feet, and four-toed hooves.^{[citation needed]} The 1 metre (3.3 ft) long animals are thought to have been amphibious, as members of the genus possessed an elongated, barrel-shaped body and short limbs that are typical adaptations found in semi-aquatic mammals.^[3]

Species

• M. carrikeri (syn. Promerycochoerus thomsoni)
• M. chelydra (syn. Promerycochoerus barbouri)
• M. magnus
• M. matthewi
• M. pinensis
• M. proprius
• M. superbus (syn. M. fricki, M. leidyi, M. macrostegus, M. montanus, M. temporalis, Promerycochoerus grandis, P. hatcheri, P. hollandi, P. inflatus, P. latidens, P. loomisi, P. lulli, P. marshi, P. microcephalus)
• M. vantasselensis